Product Guide

First Google Nexus Tablet Reportedly Delayed Till July

Last week, we reported that the current Google Nexus design was ready to go for the period of May but the latest that has been reported is that Google's co-branded Nexus tablet wouldn't be with us until July. Sources close to the project has mentioned that "Google pushed back the planned release so it could tweak the device", according to The Verge. The 7-inch tablet was slated to go for US$199 but latest reports have pointed to a higher price tag of US$249. The Google team now plans to make some changes to the design and lower costs for a cheaper price tag, one that's comparable to its immediate competitor, Amazon's Kindle Fire. Of course, there are other impending reasons for the delay:

The Verge - There are also reports that Apple is planning a smaller tablet with a 7.85-inch screen, called the iPad mini, which Google may be trying to preempt. Some reports have suggested Google wants to delay its tablet until after June so it can install the next version of Android, codenamed Jelly Bean, but that’s unlikely, the sources said. The current product is designed for Android 4.0, and new software could cause a much longer delay. Asustek is working with Google the way the US internet giant partnered with companies on Android Nexus smartphones, to make better phones and to jumpstart the market.

Judging by the earlier estimated timeline, the gadget was supposed to be just in time for unveiling at Google’s annual I/O conference on June 27th. We are hoping that the delay would be justified, resulting in an affordable and powerful Google Nexus tablet for the masses and one that will rival the strong iPad portfolio.